Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad, while Tottenham Hotspur overcame AZ Alkmaar 3-1, as both Premier League clubs secured their places in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

United and Spurs Keep European Hopes Alive

With domestic campaigns proving underwhelming, both United and Spurs see the Europa League as a crucial route to silverware and a potential Champions League spot next season.

Fernandes converted two penalties before sealing his hat-trick in the 87th minute, while Diogo Dalot added United’s fourth goal in stoppage time, confirming their 5-2 aggregate victory and setting up a quarter-final tie against Lyon.

However, United had to come from behind after Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 10th minute at Old Trafford. The Spanish side’s hopes were further dented when Jon Aramburu was sent off in the 63rd minute.

“It was a good performance. The physical intensity was there,” United manager Rúben Amorim told TNT Sports. “Even before the sending-off, you could tell the team was going to win.”

In London, Wilson Odobert netted twice for Tottenham, who will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals after advancing 3-2 on aggregate.

Having suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Spurs responded with Odobert’s opener in the 26th minute, following high pressing that forced a turnover.

James Maddison then doubled the lead shortly after the break, giving Spurs the advantage on aggregate. However, AZ Alkmaar responded swiftly when Peer Koopmeiners capitalised on a defensive mistake just two minutes after Micky van de Ven was substituted.

With the tie hanging in the balance, Odobert struck again in the 74th minute, slotting home after a brilliant backheel pass from Dominic Solanke, sealing Spurs’ progression.

“We’ve progressed, which is the main thing,” said Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou. “It got a bit tense towards the end, but we thoroughly deserved to go through.”

Other Quarter-finalists Confirmed

Elsewhere, Lyon dominated FCSB with a 4-0 home victory, as Georges Mikautadze and Ernest Nuamah each scored twice, securing a 7-1 aggregate triumph.

Rangers edged past Fenerbahçe on penalties, winning 3-2 in a shootout, after the Turkish side’s 2-0 victory on the night levelled the tie 3-3 on aggregate. The Scottish side will now face Athletic Bilbao in the last eight.

Earlier, Athletic Bilbao used a numerical advantage to defeat Roma 3-1, thanks to a brace from Nico Williams. Roma, who won the first leg 2-1, were reduced to 10 men in the 11th minute when Mats Hummels was sent off for a last-man foul.

The Williams brothers combined just before half-time, with Nico Williams finishing a deflected cross from Iñaki Williams to break the deadlock. Yuri Berchiche doubled the lead before Nico Williams grabbed his second, ensuring Athletic Bilbao progressed to the quarter-finals, where they will host the Europa League final on 21 May.

Lazio also advanced after Alessio Romagnoli’s 77th-minute header salvaged a 1-1 home draw against Viktoria Plzeň, securing a 3-2 aggregate win. The Italian side will next face Bodø/Glimt, who progressed despite a 2-1 defeat at Olympiacos, having secured a 3-0 home win in the first leg.

Eintracht Frankfurt comfortably defeated Ajax 4-1 to reach the quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate score, with Mario Götze leading the way with two goals.

Chelsea and Fiorentina Advance in Conference League

In the UEFA Europa Conference League, Chelsea sealed a quarter-final place with a 1-0 victory over Copenhagen, progressing 3-1 on aggregate.

Fiorentina dispatched Panathinaikos with a 3-1 home win and will face Celje, who edged Lugano 3-1 on penalties after their tie ended 5-5 on aggregate.

Real Betis demolished Vitória SC 4-0 in Portugal, securing a 6-2 aggregate triumph to set up a clash with Jagiellonia, who advanced despite a 2-0 loss to Cercle Brugge—thanks to a 3-0 first-leg victory.

Elsewhere, Rapid Wien progressed after extra-time, defeating Borac 2-1, while Djurgården saw off Pafos 3-0 to win 3-1 on aggregate.